I feel like I just got fired…

For the past several months, I’ve been working part-time at a daycare. I love that job, and, most days, would probably do it even if they didn’t pay me. It broke my heart when I found out I would have to quit in order to finish my Bachelor’s degree.

So, two weeks ago, I put in three weeks’ notice. There were a lot of changes happening in the daycare with the new school year starting, especially in my room, so I figured an extra week would be courteous. My boss verified the date of my last day twice… August 16th. They knew exactly why I quit.

I found out a couple of days ago that they wanted to move me for my last week, so they could test out a potential new person in my room. I was a little bummed, since I wanted to spend my last week with my regular kids, but it wasn’t a big deal.

They sent out next week’s schedule while I was still there, and I had a free minute (it was the end of the day) so I checked it to see what room they had me in. And I’m not on the schedule… at all. No one told me. My primary boss was in my room for 10 minutes today and didn’t say anything. When I left, one of my other bosses asked a couple questions about my next check, but that was it. Had I not seen the schedule before that, I would’ve had no idea what she was talking about.

I love that job. I told every single person I knew that I love that job. I planned on trying to go back next summer, and possibly full-time after that. The kids I had worked with most of my time there moved to an older room recently, and most of their parents knew that I was leaving. They all promised to stop by my room next week so that I could give their kids a hug good-bye… and now I won’t be there.

I still have to go pick up my last check on Friday, the day that was supposed to be my last day of work, so at least I’ll have a chance to get in my proper good-byes, but… still.

@mepayne: That stinks! I would bring it up to the bosses next time you are in there. They probably think you will just slink away quietly because bringing it up would be awkward, but they very much deserve to be made to feel awkward about this and have to explain themselves!

@imalittlebirdie: I hadn’t considered the legality of it, but I wouldn’t even know how to find out. There was two full weeks between when I told them I had to leave and today.

@arabbel: Ugh I’m so nonconfrontational, though. I wouldn’t even know what to say. I had thought about saying, “Bye, see you Monday!” when I left today, but froze up on the spot. As mad as I am, I wouldn’t want to say something for fear of not being able to go back next summer… I’m a total pushover, I know, but by then I’ll be dying to see my kids again.

@imalittlebirdie: Sadly, it is legal. Companies do it all the time. A friend of mine gave an extra weeks notice (three weeks, like the OP) so that the company could find a replacement for her. Her five year anniversary with the company was during that three week time period where she would receive a bonus for being there five years. They called her in and told her that her last day would be the day before her anniversary so they wouldn’t have to pay her the bonus.

For the OP–I’m sorry. That’s awful, especially when you’re emotionally invested in your job and you’re trying to do the right thing.